The midfielder was dismissed by
referee Stuart Attwell following a lunge at Dons' midfielder Adam
Chicksen, adding to a disciplinary record that makes for sorry reading.

In 79 appearances for Sunderland, the
24-year-old has been sent from the field five times, with 34 cautions
to be taken into consideration.

They certainly will be when O'Neill
censures a player who lasted just 32 minutes of a clash that was
competitive but without malice until Cattermole added to his
considerable charge-sheet.

But the Sunderland boss was far happier when his side took the lead, nine minutes after half-time.

Anthony Kay was booked after blocking James McClean's energetic run 25 yards from goal.

Right-back Craig Gardner had a fierce shot and his direct free kick left Ian McLoughlin flat-footed.
The ball appeared to wobble in the air, thoroughly defeating the MK Dons
keeper, who was making his full debut after first-choice David Martin
was ruled out with a stomach bug.